Secure Remote Actuation System

ABSTRACT

A secure remote actuation system may comprise a network and a remote input receptor. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored on the network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The remote input receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for obtaining and comparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs. In the present invention, the microcontroller obtains the one or more acceptable inputs from the network after the user begins to use the user interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 14/323,549 filed on Jul. 3, 2014 and entitled “Secure Remote Actuation System” and U.S. Pat. No. 14/323,618 filed on Jul. 3, 2014 and also entitled “Secure Remote Actuation System” which are incorporated by reference herein for all that they contain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to remote actuation systems comprising devices capable of performing remote operations. Examples of typical remote actuation systems include thermostats, which may control heating and cooling devices from a remote location, and garage door openers, which may provide remote access to secured areas. The remote portions of such devices commonly require a portable power source, such as a battery or photovoltaic cell. It is also typical of such devices to comprise communications means, such as a radio frequency transceiver, to receive and/or relay information.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,544 to Kraus et al., which is incorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes a system that remotely operates a door lock. The door lock may be powered by a battery and be configured to send and receive radio frequency signals as part of a mesh network. In such a mesh network, each connected device acts as a communication node that can send and receive packets of information to any other device in the network. The door lock may further comprise a memory module where individual user codes are stored and a logic module to compare user codes to input codes at the door to allow access decisions to be made at the door without transmissions.

Such systems typically require continuing communications over a network that may cause rapid consumption of power. Thus, various attempts have been made to conserve power in such systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,945 to Brunius, et al., which is incorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes communicating information between a plurality of instrument monitoring units to a remotely located data collection unit. The monitoring units are radio frequency transponder circuits that are operatively connected to one or more instruments whose parameters are being monitored. The transponders continuously monitor one or more parameters of the instrument(s) with which they are associated. The transponders collect and accumulate parameter information and/or data from their associated instruments and continually listen for a “wake-up” signal from an interrogate receiver/data collection unit.

Despite these advances in the art, improved means of conserving power in remote actuation systems is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A secure remote actuation system may comprise a remote input receptor operably connected to a network. Such a network may comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored within the network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The remote input receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for obtaining and comparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs. In the present invention, the microcontroller obtains the one or more acceptable inputs from the network after the user begins to use the user interface.

The remote input receptor may also comprise an internal memory unit. The internal memory unit may store acceptable inputs, user inputs, a history of user inputs, or various input parameters. The remote input receptor may additionally comprise at least one communication device, such as a radio frequency transceiver, for receiving the acceptable inputs. Such a radio frequency transceiver may be a universal device such that it is capable of communicating with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating various radio frequency transmissions. The remote input receptor may furthermore comprise a portable power source, such as a battery or solar panel.

The remote input receptor may be capable of executing a low power function after it compares the acceptable inputs to the user inputs, wherein power is cut from unneeded subsystems and reduced in others until reactivated. The remote input receptor may exit the low power function when the user begins to use the user interface or when a surveillance device, forming part of the remote input receptor, detects a user. The surveillance device may comprise a camera, a microphone, a proximity sensor, or a combination thereof.

The user interface may comprise buttons, a visual display, capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition module, or a combination thereof as a means for receiving acceptable inputs from a user.

The remote input receptor may further comprise at least one data connection port. Such a data connection port may be disposed in an interior of the remote input receptor.

A software application may allow a user to control the acceptable inputs stored on the network. For example, a software application may allow the user to edit, add, or delete acceptable inputs from the network, change parameters, change personal settings, alter system firmware, and/or conduct diagnoses. The network may also store a history of acceptable inputs or input parameters.

The network may be operably connected to and control one or more actionable devices such as a thermostat, a television, an automated window, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, an indoor positioning system, or an access control device.

The access control device may be an electromechanical locking mechanism or a garage door opener that may secure an enclosed area, room, building, or delivery box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a network device operably connected to a network.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a network device forming part of a network, the network device comprising a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board disposed therein.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote input receptor.

FIG. 3 b is a partially cutaway perspective view of an interior of the remote input receptor shown in FIG. 3 a comprising a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board disposed therein.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion of a user and a remote input receptor comprising a user interface and operably connected to a network.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of elements of an embodiment of a remote secure actuation system associated with an enclosed area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network device 1200 forming a part of a network 110. The network 110 may comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. In various embodiments, network devices may comprise a desktop or laptop computer, a cell phone, a computer server, or other devices capable of communicating on such a network.

FIG. 2 shows an interior 206 of an embodiment of a network device 2200 forming part of a network 210. The network device 2200 may comprise a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board 209 disposed therein. For instance, the embodiment of the network device 2200 shown comprises a microcontroller 211 and an internal memory unit 212 capable of obtaining and storing one or more acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. The network device 2200 may also comprise a communication device 213, such as a radio frequency transceiver, for transmitting one or more acceptable inputs to a remote input receptor (not shown) after a user begins to enter one or more user inputs. In the current embodiment, the communication device 213 communicates at a sub-1 GHz radio frequency, but in other embodiments, a communications device may be used to communicate at a variety electromagnetic frequencies, including those used for communicating over internet, satellite, telephone, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-wave applications. The communication device 213 may also receive an actuation signal from the remote input receptor after the user has supplied one or more user inputs and those user inputs have been found to be acceptable. When the network device 2200 receives an actuation signal from a remote input receptor, the network device 2200 may send a command over the network 210 to at least one actionable device to perform an operation.

In various embodiments, an actionable device may comprise an access control device, such as an electromechanical door lock, a garage door motor, or another access restricting mechanism. Actuation of the access control device may comprise an opening of a door or an engagement or disengagement of a lock. In these embodiments, a user may gain access to a secure area by supplying inputs to a remote input receptor that match one or more acceptable inputs. In other embodiments, an actionable device may comprise a thermostat, a television, an automated window, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, an indoor positioning system, or other such devices known in the art.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a perspective view and a partially-cutaway perspective view, respectively, of an embodiment of a remote input receptor 300 b comprising an interface 301 a and an interior 306 b with a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board 309 b disposed therein.

The printed circuit board 309 b may support a microcontroller 311 b, an internal memory unit 302 b, and a communication device 303 b. A user may begin using the remote input receptor 300 b by supplying a user input to the interface 301 a. After this occurs, the microcontroller 311 b may obtain a list of acceptable inputs from a network (not shown) via the communication device 303 b and store them in the internal memory unit 302 b. After a user has supplied one or more user inputs to the interface 301 a, the microcontroller 311 b may compare the user input to the acceptable inputs. If the user input corresponds to one or more of the acceptable inputs, then the remote input receptor 300 b may transmit an actuation signal to the network.

The communication device 303 b may comprise a radio frequency transceiver or other known communication apparatus. Such a radio frequency transceiver may be a universal device such that it is capable of communicating with a plurality of other devices, such as by reciprocating various radio frequency transmissions. Such a radio frequency transceiver may also communicate at a sub-1GHz frequency. It may be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that communications at sub-1GHz frequencies may be more capable of propagating through environmental obstacles, such as a plurality of walls in a residential home, than communications at frequencies higher than 1 GHz. It may therefore be desirable for said communication device 303 b to transmit signals at a sub-1GHz frequency. In some applications, however, it may be desirable to communicate at other frequencies to achieve compatibility with other devices, such as those that communicate using ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. Satellite terminals or cables, such as fiber optic cables, may also be used to connect to a network.

The remote input receptor 300 b may be powered by a portable power source 304 b, such as one or more galvanic or voltaic batteries, one or more solar cells, or other known means of portable power. The remote input receptor 300 b may execute a low power function after a user has submitted a user input to the user interface 301 a. Such a low power function may be executed for a predetermined amount of time or until a user starts to use the user interface 301 a again. When the low power function is executed, the remote input receptor 300 b may cut power from unneeded subsystems and reduce power in others until reactivated. This low power function, combined with not requiring continuous intermittent communication with the network, may enable the portable power source 304 b of the remote input receptor 300 b to last significantly longer than portable power sources of other known remote actuation systems.

The remote input receptor 300 b may further comprise one or more surveillance devices 305 b, such as a security camera, a microphone, a proximity sensor, or other known surveillance means. For example, a security camera may be disposed within the interior 306 b of the remote input receptor 300 b, with a lens of the camera extending through an exterior 307 b of the remote input receptor 300 b. The one or more security devices 305 b may continuously gather and transmit information from an environment to a network (as shown in FIG. 1). Additionally, the one or more surveillance devices 305 b may trigger the remote input receptor 300 b to exit the low power function when the one or more surveillance devices 305 b detect a user.

The remote input receptor 300 b may comprise one or more data connection ports 308 b for interacting with firmware of the remote input receptor 300 b, such as altering or updating the firmware, running system diagnostics, or managing acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. In some embodiments, such firmware functions may also be performed via a network. The one or more data connection ports 308 b may be disposed on the interior 306 b of the remote input receptor 300 b to aid in preventing undesired access or accumulation of debris from the surrounding environment. The one or more data connection ports 308 b may be able to be accessed by detaching a portion of the exterior 307 b of the remote input receptor 300 b.

FIG. 4 a shows an embodiment of a remote input receptor 400 a, a network 410 a, and a user 420 a. The remote input receptor 400 a may comprise a user interface 401 a for receiving one or more user inputs from the user 420 a. The user interface 401 a shown comprises one or more buttons 402 a. Such user interfaces may also comprise a visual display, one or more capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition module, or other known interfacing means.

FIG. 4 b shows an embodiment of a user 420 b entering one or more user inputs into a remote input receptor 400 b by pressing at least one button 402 b on a user interface 401 b. When the user 420 b begins to use the user interface 401 b, the remote input receptor 400 b may receive a permission signal 430 b from a network 410 b comprising at least one or more acceptable inputs.

FIG. 4 c shows an embodiment of a user 420 c after entering one or more user inputs into a user interface 401 c by pressing at least one button 402 c. At this point, a remote input receptor 400 c may send an actuation signal 440 c to a network 410 c. The actuation signal 440 c may direct the network 410 c to perform some operation.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an enclosed area 550 comprising an access barrier 560, such as a door, for blocking or allowing access to the enclosed area 550. The access barrier 560 may comprise an actionable device 570, such as a door lock or a garage door motor, for permitting or denying access to the enclosed area 550. The actionable device 570 may be operably connected to a network 510, wherein the network 510 may be capable of actuating the actionable device 570.

A remote input receptor 500 capable of receiving one or more user inputs may be disposed in, near, or on an exterior 551 of the enclosed area 550. The remote input receptor 500 may be operably connected to the network 510 via a wireless connection 530. As a user begins supplying a user input to the remote input receptor 500, the network 510 may send a list of acceptable inputs to the remote input receptor 500 over the wireless connection 530. If the user input is found to be acceptable at the remote input receptor 500, such as being one of the acceptable inputs received, the remote input receptor 500 may send an actuation signal to the network 510 over the wireless connection 530 indicating that the network should perform a given operation, such as opening or closing the access barrier 560, or engaging or disengaging a door lock.

The network 510 may comprise one or more electronic devices 5100. In the embodiment shown, the one or more electronic devices 5100 comprises a smartphone. However, other embodiments may comprise a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, or other devices capable of communicating over such a network. The one or more electronic devices 5100 may comprise a software application for management of the network 510, including creating, deleting, or editing one or more acceptable inputs.

Additionally, the software application may be used to create, delete, or edit one or more input parameters. Such input parameters may be used to determine one or more conditions upon which an actuation system may operate. For example, input parameters may include a time window during which the remote input receptor 500 may send an actuation signal to the network 510, a limitation on which one or more user inputs may be supplied to gain access to the secure area 550, or a limitation on how many times one or more user inputs may be used for sending an actuation signal to the network 510.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A secure remote actuation system, comprising: a network storing one or more acceptable inputs; a remote input receptor comprising: a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user; and a microcontroller for obtaining and comparing said one or more acceptable inputs to said one or more user inputs; wherein the microcontroller obtains said one or more acceptable inputs from the network after the user begins to use the user interface.
 2. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the input receptor further comprises an internal memory unit for storing: said one or more acceptable inputs; said one or more user inputs; a history of user inputs; one or more input parameters; or a combination thereof.
 3. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor further comprises one or more communication devices for receiving said one or more acceptable inputs.
 4. The secure remote actuation system of claim 3, wherein said one or more communication devices is a radio frequency transceiver.
 5. The secure remote actuation system of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is a universal device capable of communicating with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating various radio frequency transmissions.
 6. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor further comprises a portable power source.
 7. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor executes a low power function after said one or more acceptable inputs is compared to said one or more user inputs, and exits said low power function when the user begins to use the user interface.
 8. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor further comprises a surveillance device to detect the user.
 9. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the surveillance device comprises a camera, a microphone, a proximity sensor, or a combination thereof.
 10. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the remote input receptor executes a low power function after said one or more acceptable inputs is compared to said one or more user inputs, and exits said low power function when the surveillance device detects a user.
 11. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises buttons, a visual display, one or more capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition module, or a combination thereof.
 12. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor comprises one or more data connection ports.
 13. The secure remote actuation system of claim 12, wherein the one or more data connection ports is disposed in an interior of the remote input receptor.
 14. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged.
 15. The secure remote actuation system of claim 14, wherein said network comprises a software application to control said one or more acceptable inputs.
 16. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a network device comprising a radio frequency transceiver.
 17. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is a universal device capable of communicating with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating various radio frequency transmissions.
 18. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, wherein the network device comprises one or more memory units for storing: said one or more acceptable inputs; a history of acceptable inputs, one or more input parameters, or a combination thereof.
 19. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the network is operably connected to and controls one or more actionable devices.
 20. The secure remote actuation system of claim 19, wherein said one or more actionable devices is an access control device, a thermostat, a television, an automated window, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, an indoor positioning system, or a combination thereof. 